Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Latex Fixation Tests ; Liver Diseases ; diagnosis

BACKGROUND: Candida dubliniensis is phenotypically similar to Candida albicans that may be underdiagnosed in clinical laboratory. In 2010, C. dubliniensis was first recovered from blood of a candidemia patient in Seoul, Korea. Also, a simple commercial latex agglutination (LA) test is available. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of C. dubliniensis among isolates in our stocks during 2-years period (2010-2011) and to evaluate the ability of LA test (Bichro-Dubli Fumouze®) for the differentiation of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis. METHODS: A total 509 isolates including 504 C. albicans and 5 C. dubliniensis were examined for LA test, the presence of “spiking” on blood agar plate, and the germ tube test. Also all isolates were tested using the VITEK 2 ID-YST system. RESULTS: No C. dubliniensis was found in 504 isolates of initially identified as C. albicans. The LA test was positive only in 5 clinical isolates and 2 type strains of C. dubliniensis. CONCLUSIONS: The data show that the prevalence of C. dubliniensis in Korea is still expected to be extremely low and LA test is very rapid, simple, and reliable tool for the differentiation of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis.
Agar ; Agglutination ; Candida albicans* ; Candida* ; Candidemia ; Humans ; Korea ; Latex Fixation Tests* ; Latex* ; Prevalence ; Seoul

The prevalence of Toxoplasma (T.) gondii was surveyed using a latex agglutination test (LAT) in native Korean cattle. A blood sample was collected from female 105 cattle in the Daejeon area of Korea. All cattle were asymptomatic and had not received any prophylactic treatment for T. gondii. Blood samples were collected via the caudal vein. The cattle ranged in age from 2~6 years (mean 3.7 years). LAT detected antibody to T. gondii in four of 105 (3.8%) cattle. However, the hazard analysis and critical control point protocol has been applied to cattle farms and beef traceability has been strengthen.
Animals ; Cattle ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Latex ; Latex Fixation Tests ; Prevalence ; Toxoplasma ; Veins

The clinical picture and CSF findings in cryptococcal meningitis may be identical with those of tuberculous meningitis. The differential diagnosis can be made by finding the budding yeast organism in the counting chamber of in stained smear, the detection of cryptococcal antigen in CSF by the latex agglutination test, and by culture of the fungus on Sabouraud agar. We experienced a case of cryptococcal meningitis in the 48 years old woman, which was confirmed by Indian ink preparation and culture.
Agar ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fungi ; Humans ; Ink ; Latex Fixation Tests ; Meningitis, Cryptococcal* ; Saccharomycetales ; Tuberculosis, Meningeal

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus activity in Korea has been reported beginning in October, peak in November, continuing in winter and ending in spring. But the peak month and the incidence of rotavirus seems to be changed recently. So we investigated the trends of rotavirus activity for the last 10 years in Hanyang University Hospital (HUH). Also latex agglutination test was compared with automated enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay for the detection of rotavirus in stool specimens. METHODS: Stool specimens (3,636 from HUH, 1989-1998; 1,171 from Hanyang University Kuri hospital, HUKH, 1996-1998) from pediatric patients with acute diarrhea were tested for rotavirus,. Sixty specimens were tested by latex agglutination test (Sliders Rota-kit 2, bioMerieux Vitek, France) and enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay (VIDAS Rotavirus, bioMerieux Vitek, France) according to the instructions from the manufacturer. RESULTS: The annual incidence of rotavirus diarrhea from 1989 to 1998 was 47%, 32%, 33%, 25%, 26%, 24%, 24%, 17%, 17%, 14%, respectively. Positive rate of rotavirus was 25% for the 10year period in HUH, 20% for the recent 3 years in HUKH. Peak month was November (46%) in the first 5 year, but November incidence decreased to 17% in the last 5 year, and the peak moved to January, February, and March (34%, 35%, 33%, respectively). Epidemic period was from October to February during the first 5 year, but from December to April during the last 5 year period. The agreement rate of the two methods was 90% and VIDAS Rotavirus showed significantly higher sensitivity compared to Sliders Rota-kit 2. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of rotavirus diarrhea decreased gradually for the last 10 years and the peak month of rotavirus activity was changed from November to January, February, and March. The VIDAS Rotavirus was more sensitive than the Sliders Rota-kit 2 for the detection of rotavirus in stool.
Diarrhea ; Epidemiology ; Gastroenteritis* ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Latex Fixation Tests ; Rotavirus*

BACKGROUND: Group A streptococci (GAS) are the most common cause of pharyngitis in children. The streptococci in throat cultures from healthy elementary school children in Jinju were compared with previous results. METHODS: Throat cultures were taken from 1,402 healthy school children in 2006. beta-hemolytic streptococci (BHS) were identified with a bacitracin disk (0.04 U) and latex agglutination test (Seroiden Strepto Kit, Eiken, Tokyo, Japan). RESULTS: Two-hundred sixteen (15.4%) and 149 (10.6%) cultures grew BHS and GAS, respectively. The isolation rate of GAS was significantly lower than in 2004 (16.0%) or 2002 (16.9%) (P<0.05). Among BHS, the prevalence of group A strains (69.0%) decreased significantly compared with 2004 (84.9%) and 2002 (83.8%) (P<0.05). None of the 1st-grade children yielded BHS or GAS. CONCLUSION: The isolation rates of BHS and GAS from healthy school children were lower in 2006 than in previous years. Natural immunization against the common serotypes or improvement in individual hygiene might have played roles in the reduction of isolations of GAS.
Bacitracin ; Child ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Immunization ; Latex Fixation Tests ; Pharyngitis ; Pharynx ; Prevalence ; Streptococcus pyogenes ; Tokyo

BACKGROUND: The carrier study of group A streptococci (GAS), the most common cause of bacterial pharyngitis, is important to understand the epidemiology of GAS in the region. The authors performed throat cultures from the children of four elementary schools in Jinju area to investigate current microbiological characteristics in this area. METHODS: Throat cultures were taken from 2,351 healthy elementary school children (male 1,311 and female 1,040) from October through December, 2004. Two schools are located in rural areas, while the other two schools are in Jinju city. Beta-hemolytic streptococci (BHS) were identified with bacitracin disk (0.04 U) and latex agglutination test (Seroiden Strepto Kit, Eiken). RESULTS: Four-hundred forty-three (18.8%) yielded BHS from 2,351 school children. Serogrouping revealed 84.9% of group A, 5.9% of group C, 4.7% of group B, 3.6% of group G, and 0.9% of non-group A, B, C, G in a decreasing order. Isolation rate of GAS was similar between girls and boys. Children of elementary schools in rural areas showed significantly higher isolation rates (18.6-21.7%) compared to those (12.5-12.7%) in urban areas. CONCLUSION: The isolation rate of BHS was 18.8% in Jinju area, 2004. Group A was 84.9% and group C was next common. Although the isolation rate of GAS was similar by age or sex, it showed a significant difference by the location of the schools.
Bacitracin ; Child* ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Gyeongsangnam-do* ; Humans ; Latex Fixation Tests ; Pharyngitis ; Pharynx*

Many screening tests have been developed for the detection of FDP for the last decade. Of these, Thrombo-Wellcotest was chosen in our laboratory as a screening procedure. For the last one year, there were 121 determinations performed on 82 patients. Of the patients suspected to have DIC, 27 patients with clinical, and laboratory evidence of DIC showed the Thrombo-Wellcotest to be positive with titers ranging from 1:5 to 1:1280. Those patients without clinical or laboratory evidence of DIC gave all negative results except for 7 positives with low titers. It is our opinion that the Thrombo-Wellcotest is a simple procedure to be performed by ordinary laboratory personnel and an inexpensive test which can be afforded by most of the patients. As a whole, the Thrombo-Wellcotest is considered to be a useful screening test for the detection of FDP in serum.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation/diagnosis* ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products/analysis* ; Human ; Latex Fixation Tests

We reported an unusual case of disseminated cryptococcal lymphadenitis in an immunocompetent host who presented with fever and lymphadenopathy, which were the only two symptoms and signs. Latex agglutination test of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were negative, while lymph node biopsy showed Cryptococcus neoformans. A diagnosis of disseminated cryptococcal lymphadenitis was made. Then the patient was treated with amphotericin B for 15 days as initial therapy and itraconazole for 6 months as maintenance therapy respectively. The patient received re-examination per 6 months and was followed up for 2 years. Swollen lymph nodes diminished gradually, and no fever or other symptoms were found. Latex agglutination test of serum and CSF were negative throughout the follow-up period, and anti-HIV, syphilis and tuberculosis antibody were all negative.
Adolescent ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; immunology ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Latex Fixation Tests ; Lymphadenitis ; diagnosis ; immunology ; microbiology ; Male

BACKGROUND: Clostidium difficile is one of the most important pathogens responsible for nosocomial diarrhea; therefore, we compared the efficacy of laboratory tests for diagnosing C. difficile diarrhea. METHODS: We evaluated 107 stool specimens using a latex agglutination test (LA) (BD CDT, Culturette CDT, Becton, Dickison and Company, USA) and an enzyme linked fluorescent immunoassay (ELFA) (VIDAS C. difficile Toxin A II, Bio-Merieux sa, Marcy-l'Etoile, France). Stool specimens were cultured using cycloserine cefoxitine fructose agar in anaerobic condition. For identification of C. difficile, spore stain and Vitek ANA identification card (Bio-Merieux sa) were used. Toxin A and toxin B genes were analysed by PCRs using primers NK3-NK2 and NK104N-K105 respectively. RESULTS: The concordance rate between LA and ELFA was 68.2%. Based on the culture results, the sensitivity/specificity of LA and ELFA were 54.8%/100% and 17.8%/100%, respectively. The positive rates of toxin A and B genes were both 90.4%(66/73). Based on the results of PCR assays for toxin A and B genes, the sensitivity/specificity of LA and ELFA were 37.9%/85.7% and 19.7%/100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on C. difficile culture and toxin A and B gene PCR results, the sensitivity of LA was apparently higher than that of ELFA. However, it should not be simply estimated that ELFA has lower capability for detecting toxin A of C. difficile because the possibility of emerging variant strains of C. difficile could not be ruled out. The prevalence of toxigenic strains of C. difficile including variant strains should be studied in Korea.
Agar ; Agglutination* ; Cefoxitin ; Clostridium difficile* ; Clostridium* ; Cycloserine ; Diarrhea ; Fluorescence* ; Fructose ; Immunoassay ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Korea ; Latex Fixation Tests ; Latex* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Prevalence ; Spores